RICHMOND, Texas – Nearly 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been shipped to Fort Bend County for distribution this week, county officials confirmed Tuesday.
The announcement comes as county officials said Fort Bend would now be designated as a vaccine hub for the state. The designation gives the county access to increased shipments, which officials hope will vaccinate residents more quickly.
“We are going in the right direction,” said County Judge KP George.
Fort Bend County received nearly 12,000 Pfizer vaccine doses, according to George.
“we will likely be getting the vaccine on a regular basis, maybe, most likely a weekly basis, we will be getting vaccines,” the judge said.
George said the county received a large supply of vaccines Monday and will be getting them on a weekly basis. The county opened registration at www.fbchealth.org for those in the 1A and 1B populations, but slots have since been filled.
The arrival of additional Pfizer vaccinations also means second doses are available to those waiting to receive one.
“You’ll receive a message that says in the coming weeks you will receive an email where you can schedule an appointment,” said Rita Obey, spokesperson of Fort Bend County Health and Human Services.
The county said those waiting for the second shot of Pfizer’s vaccine should expect to receive an email beginning this week into next week. Officials also said the second dose of Moderna’s vaccine is also in stock. Those who qualify for it will receive an email or a phone call from either an unknown or private number.
Fort Bend County health officials said after people have registered, an email with a link will go out. The link that will be sent out is one-time, one-use. People will receive an email and call with the time they are to be administered the vaccine, health officials said.
Fort Bend County has been giving out nearly 1,400 doses of vaccine a day, the judge said. If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety or eligibility guidelines, please visit the DSHS information page or contact our vaccine question hotline at 832-471-1373.
Health officials said not every doctor, nurse, or EMS worker in the county received the vaccine. There is no waitlist, however, an appointment is still required to receive a vaccination.
Along with the shipment of 12,000 doses to be distributed at the county’s mass vaccination site, final preparations continued Tuesday at Smart Financial Center in Sugar Land, where Memorial Hermann Hospital will run a vaccination site beginning Wednesday. The site will administer 16,000 doses through Saturday.
Vaccinations will take place from 7 a.m. - 6:15 p.m. If you are 65 years of age or older, you are asked to complete a vaccination verification form that will confirm your eligibility for vaccination. If your eligibility is confirmed, a single-use, personalized scheduling link will be emailed to you.
Judge George said Fort Bend County partnered with Memorial Hermann as a way to increase access to the vaccine.
“It’s critical not only to the hospitals to be able to serve the community but to the patients and to the public and to the community in that area so they won’t have to travel very far,” said Binita Patel, vice president of pharmacy services, Memorial Hermann.
Patel added the partnerships aim to relieve the burden.
“The most important part is the importance of this partnership. Fort Bend County reached out to hospitals like us to be able to serve the community in this mass vaccination process,” Patel continued.
Travel isn’t an option for many, county officials said, announcing plans to offer at least one vaccination site in each of Fort Bend County’s four precincts.
Those plans are still being finalized, officials said.